Cellulose tube



July 1937. o. w. DIEFFENBACH Re. 20',435

` CELLULOSE TUBE Original Filed Jan. 24, 1934 Reissued July 6, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE y CELLULOSE TUBE Otto w. Dieflenbach, Baltimore, Md.

Original No. 23135304. dated March 24, 1936, Se-

riallNo. '108,064, January 24, 1934. Application for reissue May 20, 1937, Serial No. 143.865

10 Claims.

ent time include natural hollow straws and tubes made of paper and consisting oi a helically wound strip treated with parafiine or some equivalent waterproofing agent. The natural straws have been found objectionable on account of their small capacity and also on account of the presence of soluble materials which impart an undesired flavor to the beverage. They have been largely displaced by paper tubes which can be produced in large quantities at a less expense and can also be made of any suitable diameter, 20 but the paper tubes have a considerable heat capacity and conductivity so that they change the temperature of the beverage and are to a considerable degree sensitive to the action of the various liquids oi which the beverages are com- 25 posed and, if left in the liquid, they become limp and objectionable on account of their unpleasing appearance. If permitted to remain moist for any considerable period, they collapse completely so that they can not be used.

.A further objection is that'paper is absorbent and not moistureproof, so that it must be coated to make it available for this purpose; Also. the parafline-ooated paper tubes, being relatively thick and of high heatcapacity,have a tendency to heat the chilled beverages and to discharge within the tube a portion of the gas from the carbonated beverages. Thus, the tube when in use contains not its full Volume Eof liquid but a mixture of liquid and gas which lacks the flavor of the beverage when the gas is retained in the liquid and released in the stomach and has a harmful tendency due to absorption of the gas in the lungs.

An important object of the present lnvention is to overcome these difiiculties by the production of a non-absorbent tube which is of increased resistive qualities so that it is notattacked by the liquid, thus avoidlng the tendency of the tubes to become flimsy andto collapse due to the action oi' the liquid.

The invention also has as an object the provision of a transparent tube of resilient material cheap enough to be available as a drinking straw, of pleasing appearance and having -a highly polished surface, thus reducing the tendency to collect dust and germs. The transparency of the tube also makes it easy to 'observe any foreign particles within the tube which might be drawn in with s the drink. y

It is also of interest that the tube is formed ot a material which i's relatively thin and oi low heat capacity and conductivity and inherently moistureproof and non-absorbent, resisting for an indefinite period notonly the action of water but all oi the various liquids and gases contained in the drinks to be dispensed. The low heat Capacity of the tube avoids heating o! the cold beverages and with carbonated drinks gives less discharge of gas in the tube, thus maintainin the taste of the beverage.

The tube of the invention has been made of rel generated cellulose or of cellulose esters produced in sheet form, which material is cut into strips and wound helically on a mandrel, the successivo turns of the helix being overlapped and joined as to their overlapped edges by heating the tube after it has been wound. the material used in the production or applicant's straw in the preferred form being, as already pointed out, seli-adhesive when heated, regenerated cellulose or regenerated cellulose hydrate being most easily available for treatment in this way. Nitrocellulosic materials mixed with camphor, such as celluloid and similar products, are not suited to straws or tubes can be made of a single layer o! sheet cellulose material, this term being used to identify thecellulose compounds or derivatives adapted for use in this way, the spital ribs or thickened portions due to the ove'rlapping of the successive turns oi' the helix being utilized as a reinforce to strengthen the tube, the tubes thus manufactured of a single layer in order to be sufllclently stiiT to stand up in use, must be oi' such thickness as to require 'the use of sheet cellulose material of a thickness which would make the tube relatively expensive as compared to the paper tubes now in use, these thick sheets or this material 'not being a standard product. The invention also includes the single layer tube.

With these facts in view, applicant's commercial form of tube is composed of two or more thicknesses of transparent sheet wrapping material which is a standard commercial product. This tube, on account of the multiple layers, has an increased stiii'ness as compared to the tubes composed of a single layer c f this material. By means of the multiple layer& of the present invention, a tube is produced in accordance with the invention, containing less material or material which is obtained at less expense as 'above described. This tube can be produced on a satis- !actory expense basis; it costs little more than the paper tubes now in use and is at the same time a much more pleasing and .satisfactory product. V

various details and features of the 'product and method of production are made appare'nt in the drawing and the description whichtoilows:

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated a tube or drinking straw embodying the features oi' the invention in the preterred form.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a iragmentary elevation on an enlarged scale of a straw made in accordance with the invention in the preferred form.

Figurez is a section on a still further enlarged scale, the same being `taken on the line I, 4 in Figure 1.

Flgure 3 is a fragmentary perspective View showing the arrangement of the strips as !ed to the mandrel in the production of the tube or straw as shown in Figura 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevation corresponding to Figure 1, showing a modified form' of drinking straw or tube on an 'enlarged scale.

Figur-e 5 is a section on a still larger scale taken on the line 1, 'I in Figure 4.

Figur-e 6 is a fragmentary perspective view corresponding to Figura 3, showing the arrangement of the strips as i'edvto the mandrel in the production of the tube or straw shown in Figure 4.

' Reierring to the drawing by'numerals, each of which is used to indicate the same or similar parts in the diflerent figures, the invention provides a drinking tube otregeneratedcellulose or cellophane esters or other equivalent transparent cellulose material or. derivative, the terms cellulose material and cellulose derivative being used interchangeably as identifying cellulose compounds adapted to be made into these homogeneous, non-fibrous, transparent, mois'tureproof, non-absorbent sheets which are flexible, hard, and resilient, and to distinguish these materials, which are referred to loosely by' the public as "Ceilophane", frpm paper and nitrocellulosic compounds mixed with camphorand generally known as celiuioids, the use of which in the manufacture oi' drinking straws or tubes is not contemplated by this application' The material used in the manufacture of the tubes described, to'the best 'advantage should be selfadhesive when heated, but the use oi' adhesives with these materials is known to' those familiar with transparent wrappings or these cellulose derivatives.

While the tube may be made o! a single strip of material, the use oi' a piurality of strips overlying each other is believed to have important advantages not'only in providing a tube oi' sufllcient stiflness with a minimum of material. but

i also in making available for this purpose a grade of thin transparent sheet cellulose esters which is in general use tor wrapping and similar purposes.

Having particular reference to the drawing, the illustration, Figures 1 and 2, comprises a tube l shown on a magnifled scale, the stock article used as a drinking straw being approximately Vs" in diameter. This tube is shown as made of two` strips oi' transparent cellulose derivative adapted to this purpose as herein defined, the Inner strip I being indicated by reference character 2 and the outer strip by reierencecharacter 3. These strips are together wound about the axis of the tube in the form oi' a helix, the successive turns "of the he1ix being overlapped between the lines* 4, 4'.

v strip 3 overlaps the strip !at one side at 3' and the strip 2 overlaps or extends beyond the strip:

3 at the opposite side at 2'. By the overlapping v of 'the successive'tums ot the helix`in the manner shown in Figure 2 and indicated in Figur l, the joint S between the successive turns of the helix is for-med at the center, of !our thicknesses of the material, and above and below the center of three thicknesses incident to the overiap of the edge portions 3' and 2' as best shown in Figure 3 which illustrates the manner of feeding the two strips 2 and 3. This gives in the tube a stiffening rib or thickened portion which extends helically along and around the tube as best illustrated in Figures l and 2, the adjacent edges of the two overlying strips being indicated in the form of tour parallel helical iines running along and around the tube as shown in Figure 1. The outer and lower line indicating the exposed edge of the overlap 3' is shown at l" and the opposite edge is shown at 4, the intervening edges of the strips 3 and 2, where they occur within the joint being indicated by reference characters 5' and 5".

It will be noted that while the strip 3 forms the outside oi' the tube, the strip 2 being inside, the

strip 2 overlies the strip 3 in Figure 3. .This is strips are ied tothe under side of the mandrel. bringing the top strip 2 on the inside in rolling or windns the tube.

'Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a modified form of tube made of a piurality ot. layers, the tube walls 'being ot uniform thickness, the edges of the strips being abutted together as shown in Figure '5. The tube shown in Figure 4 is indicated by reference character 8, the arrangement of the multiple strips as red to the mandrel being shown in Figure 6. The mandrel is described in my co-pending Patent No.- 1,944,97O and in my co-pending application Serial No. 69,998. The strip which is on top in Figure 6 indicated by reference char' acter G, is red next to the mandrel and is thereore on the inside or the finished tube, the strip ID which is beneath in Figure 6 Iorming the outside suriace of the finished tube. The strips are in each instance, in the arrangement shown, red

to' the under side of the' mandrel from the side toward the observer and turned around the mandrel in clockwise direction as hereinafter described.

In the construction shown injFigure 4, the

overlap of the successive turns `or the helix is equal to tbe'oflset of the overlying multiple strips 9 and lo, as shown in Figure 6 and as i'ed to the mandrel,'the"strips being preterably !ed together.

The !ree edge portion oi' the oiIset ot strip HI in Fgure 6 is indicated by reference character III' and the tree edge or overlap of the strip 9 on the other side by reference character 9', the extreme edges ot these !ree edge po'rtions on one side being indicated by reference' character 9" and III", respectively, 'and the ofl'set edges b 9"' and ifl'". In this instance, the overlap of the successive turns of the helix being equal to the width of these free edge portions 9' and o' or the oflset of the strips, the edge 9" on one side in the finished tube abuts 'against the !ree edge 9"' of the next turn of the helix, edge 8"' being on the other side of the strip, and the edge ill" of the outside strip ID abuts the free edge o"' in the corresponding manner so that what have been terrned the free'edge portions 9' and o' of the multiple strips 9, o overlap and register as shown in Figure 6,'forming a tube with walls oi' uniform thickness, the joints being tormed by the abutting of the edges io" and IO' on the outside and the edges B" and 9"' on the inside. The abutting edges ill" and o"' on the outside of the tube are shown in full lines in Figure 4, the edges 9" and 9"' on the inside being indicated by a dotted line parallel to the full line. Both lines extend along and around the tube in the form of a helix. 'The tube constructed in w accordance with Figures 4, 5, and 6, has some advantages over the previous construction because of the smooth, continuous, flat inner and outer surfaces, the joints at 9", 9', and n",

lll', being completely closed by heating the' tube, and while this tube does not have the full advantages of the reinforcing feature of the type previously described, it is of increased stifiness and resistive qualities as Compared to a tube made of a single thickness and is cheaper because of' the extra expense of a sheet of sufflcient thickness to be used in making a single layer tube. The waste product from the transparent sheet cellulose derivative used in wrapping is of a satisfactory thickness for the Construction of multiple layer tubes as described and is available at a relatively low cost.

While it is not essential to the production of a commercial tube, provision may be made Ior spraying the tube with cellulose esters or similar drying solution, whereby a hard lustrous coating would be provided on the outer surfaces of 'the tube. While the heating step is of great advantage, producing a tube of more satisfactory and permanent construction at a much lower cost. the use of adhesive with these materials is known to those -familiar with transparent wrappings.

It is of interest that when self-adhesive materials are used and the tube is sealed by this means, the tube shrinks in diameter in heating and the shrinkage of the tube, together with the self-adhesiveness of the material which results from heating, has the effect of joining tightly together, by welding or sticking, both the overlapping edges of the successive turns of the helix and the overlying strips of material. e

'The material of which the tube of the invention is composed must be distinguished from pure cellulose which is white and amorphous and absorbent, being used for filter papers but not being adapted to applicant's purpose.. and it must be distinguished from paper which, according to the accepted meaning of this term, though it is mainly cellulose or cellulose compounds and in some instances translucent, is fibrous and, like pure' cellulose, highly absorbent and otherwise aifected by moisture so that it collapses and shrinks when wet and is not suited to applicant's purpose, as to make it even temporarily moistureproof it requires coating with parafline or the equivalent,

which is objectionable. .The materials of which applicant's. tubes are made are obtainable under ?being specifically excluded as unsuitable.

applied to transparent wrappings now in use, the commerciahproduct being made of the transparent wrapping material herein identified, the nitro-cellulosic compounds mixed with camphor The sheets referred to as satisactory for use in this way are ofcellulose compounds, also referred to herein for convenience as cellulose materials or derivatives, the chemical terms not being necessary to identity them as they are well known to the trade. this purpose being non-absorbent. moistu-rcproof. resilient, and tough as well as transparent and insoluble in practically all beverages, part only of these materialaparticularly the material re-- ferred to in the trade as sealing cellophane" are self-adhesive when heated, this property of the material being essential only in the preerred form of the tube.

The tube of the invention is substantially transparent and neutral and insoluble in practically all kinds oi' beverages .at drinking temperature so that it does not affect the taste of the drink and does not collapse. It is also resilient and possessed of a hard smooth glossy surface both on the inside and outside, and it is of attractive appearance and adapted to most satisfactory use in conducting beverages, having little, if any, tendencyto accumulate dust and microbes. It

isalso thin and of low heat capacity and conductivity so as to effect practically no change of the temperature ot the drink, and it retains its resilience and therefcre its shape indefinitely even when immersed for long periods in any of the liqujds used as beverages.

I have thus described speciflcally the tube of my invention, the description being specific and in detail in order that the manner of Constructing, applying, Operating, and using the invention may be fully understood; however, the specific terms herein are used in a descriptive rather than in a limiting sense, the sccpe of the invention being` dened in the claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A tube adapted for use as a drinking straw, composed of homogeneous sheet cellulosederivative which is self-adhesive when heated, the tube being composed of a plurality of overlapping strips of the said sheet material wound in the form of a helix and having the adjacent edges of the consecutive turns of the helix overlapped and' The materials which are adapted to' I the consecutive turns of the helix overlapped and sealed by the self-adhesive properties of the material, the overlying strips being ofiset as to their edges. v E

3. A tube adapted for use as a drinking straw, composed soleiy of sheet cellulose material which is sel I-adhesive when heated, the tube being composed of two overlying strips of the said sheet material wound in the form of a helix and having the adjacent edges of the consecutive turns ot the helix overlapping and sealed by the seli-adhesive properties of the materiaL the overlying strips oi' material being ofrset as to their edges byva marsin equal to the overlap `ot the consecutive turns 'of the helix, thus forming a tube wall ot uniform thickness. I

4. A tube adapted for use as adrinking straw, composed solely of transparent sheet cellulose material which is self-adhesive when heated, the tube being composed of a plurality of overlying strips of the said sheet material of the standard thickness of wrapping sheets wound in the form of a helix and having the adjacent edges of the consecutive turns of the helix overlapped and sealed by the selt-adhesive properties of the material.

5. A tube adapted for use as a drinking straw, composed oi' transparent sheet cellulose material which is self-adhesive when heated, the"tube being composed or said sheet material in strip form wound in the form of a helix and having the adjacent edges of the consecutive turns of the helix overlapped and sealed by the self-adhesive properties of the material.

6. A tube for use as a drinking straw and the like, comprising a smooth, hard, non-flbrous, re-

form and homogeneous' throughout, of non-absorbent cellulose derivative, said' strip material being helically arranged and the adjacent edges of consecutiv turns of the helix being overlapped and sealed.

.7. A tube for use as a drinking straw, composed of transparent sheet cellulose material which is substantiaily moistureproof and non-absorbent, hard and resilient, the name being in strip form, the strip material being arranged in the form of a 'helix and having the adjacent edges of the consecutive turns ot the helix overlapped and sealed. V

8. A tube adapted tor use as a drinking straw and the like, composed of a plurality of thick-` nesses oi' smooth, hard, non-fibrous, resilient, substantially moistureproof transparent wrapping sheets in strip form and homogeneous throughout, of non-absorbent cellulose derivative, said strip material being helically arranged, overlapped at the adjacent edges of the consecutive turns of the helix, and sealed.

9. A tube adapted for use as a drinkingstraw, composed solely of two thicknesses of transparent sheets of cellulose material which is substantially moistureproof and non-absorbent, smooth, hard, and resilient, the same being o! the thickness and quality used for transparent sheet wrappings and being in strip form, the strip material being helically arranged, overlapped at the adjacent edges of the consecutive turns of the helix, and sealed.

10. A tube adapted for use as. a drinking strawand composed of a plurality of thicknesses of silient, thin, transparent sheet material in strip sheet cellulose derivative, the material being selfadhesive when heated and also non-absorbent, substantiauy moistureproof, transparent, hard, non-flbrous and of the quality and thickness used for commercial transparent sheet wrappings, the tube being composed of two thicknesses and comprising a plurality of strips of said sheet material in the form of a helix overlapped at the adjacent edges of the consecutive turns of the helix and scaled by the self-adhesive properties of the material.

OTTO W. DIEFFENBACH. 

